Systems and methods for using social network analysis to schedule communications

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for improving the effectiveness of communications over a social network. A method for controlling network communication, comprises analyzing a social network in response to a request made by a user to send a message to a node in the social network, delaying for a period of time sending of the message based on a result of the analyzing, and sending the message to the node in the social network after the period of time has elapsed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/796,152, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field generally relates to systems and methods for improving theeffectiveness of communications over a social network, and inparticular, to systems and methods for social-network analyses todetermine the timing of communications (e.g., messages) so suchcommunications are likely to be most effective and/or viewed by anoptimal number of people who, in turn, have various characteristics.

BACKGROUND

A social network is a social structure made up of individuals, groups ororganizations, which have been referred to as “nodes,” that are tied(connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency. Forexample, one or more of friendship, business associations, commoninterest or history, occupation, education, finances, likes/dislikes, orother relationships can connect nodes. In a simple form, a socialnetwork is a structure of these connections between nodes. The nodes towhich an individual is connected represent the contacts of thatindividual, and the return or value than an individual derives from thesocial network can be measured as social capital.

A social network diagram includes nodes as points and lines representingties or connections between the nodes. Attention given to networktheory, i.e., the creation, maintenance, and destruction of such ties,has increased in recent years. The rise in such interest may beattributed to the study of interne connections, and awareness of theroles which social networks play in people's work habits, health,entertainment interests, and many other facets of daily life.

An example of a social networking and microblogging service is TWITTER,enabling its users to send and read messages called “tweets”. Tweets aretext-based posts displayed on a user's profile page. TWITTER and othersocial messaging services would be more useful if such systems couldoptimize the number and nature of message recipients.

SUMMARY

In general, exemplary embodiments of the invention include systems andmethods for improving the effectiveness of communications over a socialnetwork, and in particular, to systems and methods for social-networkanalyses to determine the timing of communications.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a systemfor controlling network communication including a memory and a processorcommunicatively coupled to the processor, an analysis module capable ofanalyzing a social network in response to a request made by a user tosend a message to a node in the social network, and a message controlmodule capable of delaying for a period of time sending of the messagebased on a result of the analyzing, and sending the message in thesocial network after the period of time has elapsed.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, acomputer implemented method for controlling network communication,comprises analyzing a social network in response to a request made by auser to send a message to a node in the social network, delaying for aperiod of time sending of the message based on a result of theanalyzing, and sending the message to the node in the social networkafter the period of time has elapsed.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, anarticle of manufacture comprises a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium comprising program code tangibly embodied thereon, whichwhen executed by a computer, performs method steps for controllingnetwork communication, the method steps comprising analyzing a socialnetwork in response to a request made by a user to send a message a nodein the social network, delaying for a period of time sending of themessage based on a result of the analyzing, and sending the message tothe node in the social network after the period of time has elapsed.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, anapparatus for controlling network communication, comprises a memory, anda processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute code storedin the memory for analyzing a social network in response to a requestmade by a user to send a message to a node in the social network,delaying for a period of time sending of the message based on a resultof the analyzing, and sending the message to the node in the socialnetwork after the period of time has elapsed.

These and other exemplary embodiments of the invention will be describedor become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described belowin more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a method for improving network communication,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method for improving network communication,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method for improving network communication,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a system for improving network communication,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system in accordance with which one ormore components/steps of the techniques of the invention may beimplemented, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be discussed in furtherdetail with regard to systems and methods for improving theeffectiveness of communications over a social network, and inparticular, to systems and methods for social-network analyses todetermine the timing of communications. This invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to improve the usefulness ofsocial network communications by optimizing the number and nature ofmessage recipients. As an example, a company, book author, governmentofficial, or health official may wish to effectively spread a messagethat markets a product, announces a meeting, provides an insightfulobservation, or alerts the public of some public-health danger. For sucha message to be effective, the message generally needs to reach a largenumber of people, either directly or indirectly. If the message reachesonly a small number of people, it may not be relayed (e.g., “retweeted”)to a larger audience. Thus, a viewing potential of the message may losesecondary effects (rebroadcasts) and tertiary effects (rebroadcasts ofrebroadcasts).

According to embodiments of the present invention, the followingdefinitions may apply to the following terms used in this disclosure.However, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the inventionare not necessarily limited to these definitions.

“Degree Centrality (DC)”: a measure of the number of directrelationships, connections and/or links of an entity. According to FMS,Inc., an entity with high degree centrality may have one or more of thefollowing characteristics: (1) an active player in a network; (2) aconnector or hub in the network; (3) not necessarily the most connectedentity in the network (e.g., another entity may have a larger number ofrelationships, the majority of which point to low-level entities); (4)in an advantaged position in the network; (5) has alternative avenues tosatisfy organizational needs, and consequently may be less dependent onother individuals; and (6) can be identified as a third party or dealmaker. See http://www.fmsasg.com/SocialNetworkAnalysis/. However, inaccordance with the embodiments of the present invention, it is to beunderstood that an entity with high degree centrality is not necessarilylimited to the preceding characteristics.

“Betweenness Centrality (BC)”: identifies an entity's position within anetwork based the ability of the entity to connect with other pairs orgroups in a network. According to FMS, Inc., an entity with a highbetweenness centrality may have one or more of the followingcharacteristics: (1) holds a favored or powerful position in a network;(2) represents a single point of failure (e.g., if one takes the singlebetweenness spanner out of a network, ties will be severed betweencliques); and (3) has a greater amount of influence over what happens ina network. See http://www.fmsasg.com/SocialNetworkAnalysis/. However, inaccordance with the embodiments of the present invention, it is to beunderstood that an entity with high betweenness centrality is notnecessarily limited to the preceding characteristics.

“Closeness Centrality (CC)”: measures the speed at which an entity canaccess other entities in a network. According to FMS, Inc., an entitywith a high closeness centrality may have one or more of the followingcharacteristics: (1) has quick access to other entities in a network;(2) has a short path to other entities; (3) is close to other entities;and (4) has high visibility as to what is happening in the network. Seehttp://www.fmsasg.com/SocialNetworkAnalysis/. However, in accordancewith the embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understoodthat an entity with high closeness centrality is not necessarily limitedto the preceding characteristics.

“Eigenvalue Centrality (EC)”: measures proximity of an entity to otherhighly close entities within a network. In other words, referring, forexample, to a predetermined sample size portion of a network, or to aglobal or overall makeup of the network, EC can identify the mostcentral entities of a network. According to FMS, Inc., a high EC may:(1) indicate an actor that is more central to a main pattern ofdistances among all entities; and/or (2) be a reasonable measure of oneaspect of centrality in terms of positional advantage. Seehttp://www.fmsasg.com/SocialNetworkAnalysis/. However, in accordancewith the embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understoodthat a high EC is not necessarily limited to the precedingcharacteristics.

“Hub/Authority (H/A)”: an authority refers to an entity that is pointedto by many other entities. For example, in software packages,relationships can be directional, pointing from one entity to another.If an entity has a high number of relationships pointing to it and/or ismore highly connected than other entities, it has a high hub/authorityvalue, and, according to FMS, Inc., may have one or more of thefollowing characteristics: (1) is a knowledge or organizationalauthority within a domain; and (2) acts as a definitive source ofinformation. See http://www.fmsasg.com/SocialNetworkAnalysis/. However,in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, it is to beunderstood that an entity with a high hub/authority value is notnecessarily limited to the preceding characteristics.

Embodiments of the present invention may apply to a variety of messagetransmission services. It is understood that various tools, for example,web-based tools, exist for sending and resending messages, and thatembodiments of the present invention are meant to exploit allconceivable tools of this kind. By way of example only, the disclosurerefers to TWITTER, but is not limited thereto.

Millions of messages over social networks (e.g., “tweets”) can begenerated each day, along with millions of search queries. Members of afirst social network may repost a message from another member of thefirst social network, and share the message with members of a secondsocial network to which they belong, referred to, for example, as a“retweet” on TWITTER.

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods thatmake use of communication network and social network analyses todetermine the timing of communications (e.g., messages, tweets, posts,etc.) such that the communications are most likely to be effective atreaching an optimal number of people (e.g., full or approaching fullnetwork saturation) meeting certain criteria. The criteria include, butare not limited to, personal or professional characteristics.

As an example, an author may wish to announce the publication of hislatest book. The number of users who will see his announcement (e.g.,tweet) depends, at least in part, on the users who are active on (e.g.,“logged on” to) the social networking system at the time the authorsends his message, the characteristics of those users in terms of theprobability they will rebroadcast or repost (e.g., “retweet”) themessage, and the recent activity of the users (e.g., reposting,retweeting activity). According to an embodiment, the terms “active” or“logged on” may include the action of users (e.g., followers) havingrecently signed into a social network service, or having recently sent amessage using the social network service (which may be an implication ofa high-level engagement with the social networking service), or therecency of scrolling a graphical user interface (GUI) window of thesocial-network service (which may be an implication of a high-levelengagement with the social networking service). The terms “recently” or“recency” may imply a time period (e.g., within the last 3 minutes), andthis time period may be set by the user. According to an embodiment, aschedule for broadcasting, posting, tweeting, etc. the message maycoincide with these analyses and determinations, and attempt to reachfull network saturation at a given opportune time (e.g., on the morningof the book's release, and/or when online book shopping is expected tobe at its highest). Information from the social networks can be obtainedthrough public interfaces or within the social network itself throughprivate access to data that is collected about users of those networks.Depending on design constraints, data can be gathered about every userin the network, or select users based on determinations of theircentrality.

If the analysis and scheduling in accordance with the embodiments of thepresent invention are used, users' rebroadcasting, reposting,retweeting, etc. of the author's message to other users will beperformed with increased or maximum effectiveness. For example,rebroadcasting, reposting, retweeting, etc, can reach users who areactive on the network at the time of receipt of the message, and who areinterested in new books so that the effect of the author's message canbe maximized.

Embodiments of the present invention provide one or more of thefollowing, but are not limited to: (1) automatic optimal time selectionfor broadcast, posting, tweeting, etc. of messages; (2) increasedcontrol over how and when a message propagates through a network; and(3) increased message audience (network permeation).

Referring, for example to FIG. 1, a method 100 for improving networkcommunication, according to an embodiment of the present invention,provides for automatic message delay, wherein an effective time of dayat which a user may transmit a message to a social network is computed.In accordance with this embodiment, a system determines a number ofnodes in a message author's network (e.g., number of “followers” of theauthor in TWITTER) (NF) who are active and/or logged on to the networkat various times. The system can also determine the number of nodes ineach network of each node in the author's network (e.g., number offollowers of the followers of the author) (NF2) who are active and/orlogged on to the network at various times. The system can furtherdetermine the number of nodes three times removed from the messageauthor (e.g., followers of the followers of the followers of the author)(NF3) who are active and/or logged on to the network at various times.It is to be understood, that this process can be repeated out to nodes Mtimes removed from the author (NF, NF2, NF3, NF4, . . . NFM) dependingon design and feasibility requirements, wherein M≧1 (Block 102). Thenodes may refer to, for example, individuals, groups and/ororganizations.

According to an embodiment, referring to block 104, if NF+NF2+NF3+ . . .NFM>threshold number of active recipients, then the message is sent(block 106); otherwise, if <threshold, sending of the message is delayed(block 108). The delay can be until the threshold is met, or untilanalytics (described further below) predict when the threshold is likelyto be met. Referring to block 110, the message is sent after the delayperiod elapses. The assignment of a value to the threshold may be basedon, for example, the size of the social network, goals for messagepermeation and prior research as to what constitutes effective networksaturation. In addition, the threshold may be based on global networkstatistics, which also determine the effectiveness of any communicationgiven a particular threshold. These statistics may include, for example,network diameter, the average distance between two randomly chosennodes, measures of the degree distribution (such as the extent to whichit approximates a power law), or statistical measures of DC, BC, CC, ECand H/A over all nodes in a network.

According to an embodiment, a calculation of whether the threshold ismet may be determined by using absolute numbers or percentages.Alternatively, the system may use analytics to predict if the thresholdis likely to be met within a specific period. Analytics may includeanalyzing historical activity/log-on times to predict the next timeusers may log in and/or be active. If the analysis reveals that thethreshold may not be met in a timely manner, according to an embodiment,the system may automatically lower the threshold to a maximum predictednumber of users, and send the message when the maximum predicted numberof users is deemed to be active.

According to an embodiment, when calculating whether a threshold is met,additional social-network parameters may be considered, such as, forexample, Degree Centrality (DC), Betweenness Centrality (BC), ClosenessCentrality (CC), Eigenvalue Centrality (EC), and Hub/Authority (WA), asreferenced hereinabove. In this manner, values of f(DC), f(BC), f(CC),f(EC), and/or f(H/A) are determined (block 103), and the equation abovebecomes: if NF+NF2+NF3+ . . . , NFM+f(DC, BC, CC, EC, H/A)>thresholdnumber of active recipients (block 105), then the message is sent;otherwise, if <threshold, sending of the message is delayed. The delaycan be until the threshold is met, or until analytics predict when thethreshold is likely to be met. f(DC), f(BC), f(CC), f(EC), and/or f(H/A)can be, for example, normalized values representing these social networkparameters.

Therefore, embodiments of the present invention also recognize thatvarious possible message recipients have differing levels ofconnectedness. In addition to, or in lieu of optimizing message timing,embodiments of the present invention optimize message transmission tothose recipients who are, in turn, hubs. In other words, embodiments ofthe present invention use social network analysis to determine whichrecipients are more highly connected than other recipients. Inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention, the timing of themessage delivery can be designed to ensure that these hubs are mostlikely to receive the message, such that the secondary, tertiary, etc.effects (rebroadcasts) will reach the highest number of possiblerecipients.

As an example, Closeness Centrality measures how quickly an entity(e.g., user) can access more entities in a network. An entity with highcloseness centrality generally has more access to a larger part of thenetwork than an entity with low closeness centrality. Thus, iff(CC)>threshold from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM for N users in an individual'snetwork, then the system may delay broadcasting, posting, tweeting, etc.a message until this time. It is to be understood that one or more ofDC, BC, CC, EC and WA may be omitted from the analysis.

A method for improving network communication, according to an embodimentof the present invention, provides for message timing reporting, whereina report is given to a user generating the message (e.g., author orpublic-health official) as to efficacious times in which to send themessage.

An electronic social network consists of users of a message generationsystem and connections between users. As per the method, informationassociated with each user (e.g., connections, the user is able toprogram in JAVA, is a vegetarian, etc.) is analyzed. A report isprepared for a user as to effective times during which to send a messagebased on an analysis of the user's connections (and of connections tothe user's connections, etc.) and the information associated with eachof the connections of the user, and/or a number of the connections whoare active at a predetermined time. The report is sent to the usergenerating the message as to efficacious times in which to send themessage.

Referring to FIG. 2, a method 200 for improving network communication,according to an embodiment of the present invention takes into accountmessage flow dynamics. The method comprises analyzing a social network'sstructure (e.g., number and configuration of nodes and connectionsbetween nodes) (block 202), and collecting data on information flowthrough the observed structure based on, for example, broadcasts, posts,tweets, email, instant messages, etc. (block 204). Flow data can begathered by taking active measurements of message propagation throughnodes of the network. A model of the network and information flowdynamics through its nodes is created using, for example, coupled modelsof message integration and transmission (simple nonlinear integrators)(block 206). For example, a set of models may be instantiated withseparate integration time constants. Connections between models may beestablished during initialization of the simulation, according tocertain parameters that govern the resulting connection patterns andnetwork statistics. These models maintain their own state in acomputational simulation, and each computes separately within asimulation time step. After all models are computed, models thencommunicate their current state to each other, which in turn is used tocompute the next integration time step.

Experimental analysis of the model network for measurements of messagepropagation, including transmission times and messages that optimallypropagate through the network is performed (block 208). In accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention, to accomplish this, messagepropagation is recorded as transmission events. A transmission event isrecorded as a combination of the following: 1) the time step upon whichthe message is transmitted, 2) the sending node's identity, 3) thereceiving node's identity, and 4) the identity of the message. Thesedata may also be represented as a directed transmission network, whereinconnections between network elements represent transmission events of aparticular message on a given time step or over a range of time steps.Determining network propagation from such a transmission networkinvolves comparing the number of nodes in the network to the number ofnodes in the original social network that the message targeted as aratio. As this ratio approaches 1, the propagation of the message can beassumed to be perfect. Messages are sent to nodes in the real networkaccording to a schedule based on the experimental analysis of the modelnetwork (block 210).

Flow dynamics can be affected by a number of factors which theembodiments of the present invention can account for, including but notlimited to, time zones, work patterns, relationships betweenindividuals, and demographics of the entities receiving the message(e.g., younger users may propagate messages faster than older users).

Referring to FIG. 3, a method 300 for improving network communication,according to an embodiment of the present invention, performs optimalpartitioning, wherein a user's connections are partitioned to create subgroups of connections, referred to as “targets” (block 302). The targetsare analyzed in accordance with the disclosed methods to determine whensending, posting, broadcasting, tweeting, etc. a message would be mosteffective at reaching a larger community through the targets (block304). Such analysis can include, for example, looking at the activityand connections of the members of a target.

Different targets are created and analyzed to find the optimalpartitioning. As a result, a series of message broadcasts, posts,tweets, etc. (the series including the same message, and/or differentmessages) can be sent to different targets at different times in orderto create an optimal synergistic effect.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, connections canbe analyzed according to subgroups, wherein each subgroup is selectedrandomly or according to an optimization strategy, and then analyzed formessage transmission effectiveness according to connectioncharacteristics, and characteristics of the connections' connections,and so on.

The method further includes assigning the subgroups a score and rankingthe subgroups according to one or more of content of a message, timingof a message, and expected effectiveness of message retransmissionand/or expected message retransmission via the subgroup (block 306).Subgroups that are optimal for a particular transmission are thentargeted and analyzed as a group. Groups and ranks of targets can betransformed into a schedule that includes different targets and times tosend messages (block 308). Then, an optimal transmission schedule isexecuted over the targets at different times (block 310). In accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, targets may comprisenon-overlapping or overlapping sets of connections.

Implementation of the embodiments of the present invention allows forthe creation of synergies that would otherwise be unavailable. Forexample, in accordance with embodiments, a central node can be attackedfirst, then with some delay, next most central contacts can be attacked,and waves of messages that converge simultaneously on the central nodecan be created, thus increasing the likelihood that a message will beresent, and thus reach the maximum downstream group.

A method for improving network communication, according to an embodimentof the present invention takes into account the structure of the networkand the reliability of the transmission at each node in the network. Forexample, a message may quickly saturate a network with a very largediameter (i.e., a network in which most nodes connect to most othernodes) even when the probability (reliability) of transmission by anynode is low. Conversely, a sparsely connected network would requirehighly reliable transmission of messages in order to saturate a network.

Embodiments of the present invention, therefore, target messages toparticular nodes in a communication network, and time communication ofthese messages based on structure and reliability to allow forsynergistic effects during re-transmission, therefore maximizing thelikelihood of network saturation. The methods for analysis in connectionwith structure and reliability can be combined with previously discussedtechniques of network analysis, simulation, and optimization.

Referring to FIG. 4, a system 400 for improving network communication,according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises anelectronic social network 402 including users of a message generationsystem (e.g., TWITTER, FACEBOOK, GOOGLE+, etc.) and connections betweenusers. The system includes a database 404, where information associatedwith each user (e.g., connections, the user is able to program in JAVA,is a vegetarian, etc.) is stored.

The system includes an analysis module 410 which can analyze a socialnetwork in response to requests made by users to send messages in thesocial network, and a message control module 406 which can delay sendingof the messages for a period of time based on a result of the analysesby the analysis module 410. The message control module 406 sends themessages in the social network 402 after the period of time has elapsed.According to an embodiment, the analysis module 410 collects data oninformation flow through a structure of the social network to use in theanalyses. The collection of data on information flow can be based on,for example, broadcasts, posts, tweets, email, instant messages, etc.Flow data can be gathered by taking active measurements of messagepropagation through nodes of the network 402.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the analysismodule 410 includes a modeling module 412 which creates models of thesocial network and information flow dynamics through nodes of thenetwork 402. The model can be created using, for example, coupled modelsof message integration and transmission (simple nonlinear integrators).The modeling module 412 experimentally analyzes the models formeasurements of message propagation through the model networks, and themessage control module 406 sends the messages to nodes in the socialnetwork 402 according to schedules based on the experimental analyses ofthe model networks.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the analysis module410 also includes a partition module 414 which can partition connectionsof a user within the network 402 to create sub groups of connections,referred to as “targets”, and the message control module 406 can sendmessages to different sub groups at different times in order to createan optimal synergistic effect. The targets can be analyzed by theanalysis module 410 to determine when sending, posting, broadcasting,tweeting, etc. a message would be most effective at reaching a largercommunity through the targets.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the partitionmodule 414 can select each subgroup randomly or according to anoptimization strategy, and then the analysis module 410 can analyze eachsubgroup for message transmission effectiveness according to connectioncharacteristics, and characteristics of the connections' connections,and so on. The analysis module 410 can assign the subgroups a score andrank the subgroups according to one or more of content of a message,timing of a message, and expected effectiveness of messageretransmission and/or expected message retransmission via the subgroup.The message control module 406 can transform groups and ranks of targetsinto a schedule that includes different targets and times to sendmessages. Then, the message control module 406 can execute an optimaltransmission schedule over the targets at different times.

The analysis module 410 can also include a connection computation module416 which determines a number of nodes connected to any given user whoare active on the network and determines if the number is above athreshold value. The message control module 406 delays sending ofmessages if the number is less than the threshold value. In accordancewith an embodiment, the connection computation module 416 can determinea number of nodes in a message author's network (e.g., number of“followers” of the author in TWITTER) (NF) who are active and/or loggedon to the network at various times, the number of nodes in each networkof each node in the author's network (e.g., number of followers of thefollowers of the author) (NF2) who are active and/or logged on to thenetwork at various times, and the number of nodes three times removedfrom the message author (e.g., followers of the followers of thefollowers of the author) (NF3) who are active and/or logged on to thenetwork at various times. It is to be understood, that this process canbe repeated out to nodes M times removed from the author (NF, NF2, NF3,NF4, . . . NFM) depending on design and feasibility requirements. Asstated above, nodes may refer to, for example, individuals, groupsand/or organizations.

According to an embodiment, the connection computation module 416applies the following equation to determine if a message should be sent:if NF+NF2+NF3+ . . . NFM>threshold number of active recipients, then themessage is sent by the message control module 406; otherwise, if<threshold, sending of the message is delayed by the message controlmodule 406. The delay can be until the threshold is met, or untilanalytics predict when the threshold is likely to be met.

The connection computation module 416 can perform the calculation ofwhether the threshold is met by using absolute numbers or percentages,or by using analytics to predict if the threshold is likely to be metwithin a specific period.

According to an embodiment, when calculating whether a threshold is met,the connection computation module 416 can factor in additionalsocial-network parameters, such as, for example, Degree Centrality (DC),Betweenness Centrality (BC), Closeness Centrality (CC), EigenvalueCentrality (EC), and Hub/Authority (H/A), as referenced hereinabove. Inthis manner, the equation above may become: if NF+NF2+NF3+. NFM+f(DC,BC, CC, EC, H/A)>threshold number of active recipients, then the messageis sent; otherwise, if <threshold, sending of the message is delayed.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the system400 further includes a reporting module 408 which can provide a reportto users as to at least one efficacious time in which to send themessages. The reporting module can determine if a report should be sentto a user, and generate the report based on, for example, an analysis ofthe user's connections (and of connections to the user's connections,etc.) and the information associated with each of the user'sconnections, and/or a number of connections who are active at apredetermined time.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the analysis module 410 is alsoable to determine a reliability of transmission of a message at aplurality of nodes in the network 402.

The system can be implemented on a centralized server accessible via anetwork, a cloud service or on a specific machine. The network throughwhich the centralized server is accessed can include, but is not limitedto, for example, a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN),cellular network, satellite network and the Internet.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or computerprogram product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may takethe form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely softwareembodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) oran embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readablestorage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example,but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustivelist) of the computer readable storage medium would include thefollowing: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-onlymemory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device,or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of thisdocument, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible mediumthat can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario; the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation ofpossible implementations of systems, methods, and computer programproducts according to various embodiments of the present invention. Inthis regard, each block in a flowchart or a block diagram may representa module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or moreexecutable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagram and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagram and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

One or more embodiments can make use of software running on ageneral-purpose computer or workstation. With reference to FIG. 5, in acomputing node 510 there is a computer system/server 512, which isoperational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 512 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 512 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 512 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 5, computer system/server 512 in computing node 510 isshown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The componentsof computer system/server 512 may include, but are not limited to, oneor more processors or processing units 516, a system memory 528, and abus 518 that couples various system components including system memory528 to processor 516.

The bus 518 represents one or more of any of several types of busstructures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus usingany of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and notlimitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture(ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA)bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, andPeripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus.

The computer system/server 512 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 512, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

The system memory 528 can include computer system readable media in theform of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 530 and/orcache memory 532. The computer system/server 512 may further includeother removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer systemstorage media. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be providedfor reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magneticmedia (not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although notshown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to aremovable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and anoptical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable,non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other opticalmedia can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to thebus 518 by one or more data media interfaces. As depicted and describedherein, the memory 528 may include at least one program product having aset (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carryout the functions of embodiments of the invention. A program/utility540, having a set (at least one) of program modules 542, may be storedin memory 528 by way of example, and not limitation, as well as anoperating system, one or more application programs, other programmodules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one or moreapplication programs, other program modules, and program data or somecombination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 542 generally carry out the functionsand/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as describedherein.

Computer system/server 512 may also communicate with one or moreexternal devices 514 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display524, etc., one or more devices that enable a user to interact withcomputer system/server 512, and/or any devices (e.g., network card,modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server 512 to communicate withone or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur viaInput/Output (I/O) interfaces 522. Still yet, computer system/server 512can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 520. As depicted, network adapter 520communicates with the other components of computer system/server 512 viabus 518. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 512. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may bemade by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope orspirit of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A system for controlling network communication, comprising: a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor; an analysis module capable of analyzing a social network in response to a request made by a user to send a message to a node in the social network; and a message control module capable of delaying for a period of time sending of the message based on a result of the analyzing, and sending the message in the social network after the period of time has elapsed; wherein the analysis module comprises a connection computation module capable of: determining a number of nodes connected to the user which are active on the social network, wherein the active nodes each correspond to at least one of an individual, group and organization; determining if the number of the active nodes on the social network is above a threshold value, wherein the message control module is capable of delaying the sending of the message if the number of the active nodes on the social network is less than the threshold value; and determining whether a combination of the number of the active nodes with at least one centrality value is less than the threshold value; wherein the at least one centrality value comprises a normalized value representing at least one of Degree Centrality (DC), Betweenness Centrality (BC), Closeness Centrality (CC), Eigenvalue Centrality (EC), and Hub/Authority (H/A).
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis module is capable of collecting data on information flow through a structure of the social network.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis module comprises a modeling module capable of creating a model of the social network and information flow dynamics through nodes of the network.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the modeling module is capable of experimentally analyzing the model for measurements of message propagation through the model network.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the message control module is capable of sending the message to at least two nodes in the social network according to a schedule based on the experimental analysis of the model network.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis module comprises a partition module capable of partitioning connections of the user within the social network to create at least two sub groups of connections.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the message control module is capable of sending the message to different sub groups at different times.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reporting module capable of providing a report to the user as to at least one efficacious time in which to send the message.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis module is further capable of determining a reliability of transmission of the message at a plurality of nodes in the social network.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein a given node is active if at least one of an individual, group and organization corresponding to the given node is logged on to the social network.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the message control module is capable of delaying the sending of the message until the number of the active nodes on the social network is greater than the threshold value.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection computation module is further capable of predicting when the threshold value is likely to be met, wherein the message control module is capable of delaying the sending of the message until a predicted time when the threshold value is likely to be met.
 13. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising program code tangibly embodied thereon, which when executed by a computer, performs method steps for controlling network communication, the method steps comprising: analyzing a social network in response to a request made by a user to send a message a node in the social network; delaying for a period of time sending of the message based on a result of the analyzing; and sending the message to the node in the social network after the period of time has elapsed; wherein analyzing comprises: determining a number of nodes connected to the user which are active on the social network, wherein the active nodes each correspond to at least one of an individual, group and organization; determining if the number of the active nodes on the social network is above a threshold value; delaying the sending of the message if the number of the active nodes on the social network is less than the threshold value; and determining whether a combination of the number of the active nodes with at least one centrality value is less than the threshold value; wherein the at least one centrality value comprises a normalized value representing at least one of Degree Centrality (DC), Betweenness Centrality (BC), Closeness Centrality (CC), Eigenvalue Centrality (EC), and Hub/Authority (H/A).
 14. An apparatus for controlling network communication, comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute code stored in the memory for: analyzing a social network in response to a request made by a user to send a message to a node in the social network; delaying for a period of time sending of the message based on a result of the analyzing; and sending the message to the node in the social network after the period of time has elapsed; wherein analyzing comprises: determining a number of nodes connected to the user which are active on the social network, wherein the active nodes each correspond to at least one of an individual, group and organization; determining if the number of the active nodes on the social network is above a threshold value; delaying the sending of the message if the number of the active nodes on the social network is less than the threshold value; and determining whether a combination of the number of the active nodes with at least one centrality value is less than the threshold value; wherein the at least one centrality value comprises a normalized value representing at least one of Degree Centrality (DC), Betweenness Centrality (BC), Closeness Centrality (CC), Eigenvalue Centrality (EC), and Hub/Authority (H/A). 